Ten reasosn to be thankful | A South Roane Agrarian

Once again, my father, at age 92, and my mother’s oldest sister, at 99, are both still around.
The weekly snap: red sky at night….
My off-the-farm job allows me to touch base with widely scattered friends and family when I travel for work.
The valley in which I live is filled with people I like. And I have been recently reminded of the particular pleasure that is gained from visiting.
The land and the bounty it provides … and provides, and provides. (I think we are okay now on the turnip greens, thank you.)
Guests this Thanksgiving — because, as Dorothy Parker said, “Eternity is two people and a ham,” and we have a 22-pound ham.
My friend Jack reacquainted me with this other Parker gem: “What fresh hell is this?”
My partner in this life is still able to appear interested when I say, “Let me read to you something I just read.”
She genuinely shares my pleasure on a November day in simply watching the last of the leaves blow to the ground.
Joey the ram, the flock’s herd sire, has not maimed or killed anyone this year. (And not for lack of trying, Joey, you evil bastard!)
Twenty years ago we made the decision to leave the city and start fresh. Now, when outside, I am more likely to hear a rooster crow or the bawling of hungry sheep rather than an angry voice and the blare of a horn.

A South Roane Agrarian